BENTON HARBOR, MI -- A Benton Harbor cemetery board member is facing felony charges after being accused of embezzlement.

Thomas Golba, 42, of Benton Harbor, is accused of taking more than $1,000 from Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Township and distributing it to individuals without board approval, according to a Berrien County Sheriff's Office press release.

It is alleged that the money came from cemetery scrap metals, cleaned out of a pole barn and sold to a local metal recycler in May.

Golba turned himself in after a 2-month police investigation. He has been charged with embezzlement by an agent between $1,000 and $20,000.

Golba was arraigned Tuesday and pleaded not guilty. He was released on $5,000 bond and will face his pre-trial exam Wednesday Oct. 31.